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Glite Dictionary
pilcher

pilcher

9.9
A leather cover for a sword that protects the blade
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : vaina
  • In medieval times, a pilcher was often made from tough leather to protect the blade.

Examples

  • The old museum displayed a pilcher alongside ancient weapons and armor.

  • Many ancient swords were housed in a pilcher for protection.

  • The knight drew his sword from its pilcher before the duel.

  • The knight drew his sword from its pilcher.

  • In medieval times, a pilcher was often made from tough leather to protect the blade.

  • The knight drew his sword from its pilcher before the duel.

  • The old museum displayed a pilcher alongside ancient weapons and armor.

Synonyms

sheath
vspilcher
  • Specialized
8 4.3

A leather or metal cover that holds a knife blade

is an older name focusing on leather covers mainly for swords
scabbard
vspilcher
5 9.1

A sheath for holding a sword or dagger

is an older term for a leather cover used especially for swords

Surface Forms

pilcher singular
pilchers plural

Morphology

pilcher = pilch (opaque) = pilch + er

The word appears to be formed from the archaic noun 'pilch' plus '-er', but the base is obscure to most learners and the modern sense is not easily recoverable.

Etymology

The word pilcher probably comes from old words for an animal 'hide', like the English pelt, because it was a leather cover for a sword. So a pilcher is a protective sheath that keeps a blade safe.